Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Getting caught up on a bunch of things after some computer downtime. Here's some updates from Sony Pictures Animation regarding the Smurfs, Hotel Transylvania, and The Lamb:

Sony Pictures Animation announced today that UNTITLED ANIMATED SMURFS will be released globally on March 31, 2017,
taking advantage of the family-friendly Easter window. The film marks a
brand new, fully animated take on the beloved blue creatures in
Columbia’s Smurfs franchise which has grossed over $900 million
worldwide.

Commenting
on the announcement, Rory Bruer, president, Worldwide Distribution for
Sony Pictures, said, "With a fully animated feature close in tone and
design to Peyo's original creation, we're embracing everything that have
made the Smurfs so special for audiences worldwide. The date is a
perfect match for this particular movie. With the kids on break, every
day plays like summer, and for franchises with global appeal like the
Smurfs, audiences are ready to turn out for great entertainment."

Directed
by Kelly Asbury (SHREK 2, GNOMEO & JULIET), UNTITLED ANIMATED
SMURFS is produced by Jordan Kerner (CHARLOTTE'S WEB, THE SMURFS) and
co-produced by Mary Ellen Bauder (HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA). The film's final
title and new voice cast will be announced in the coming months.

Sony Pictures Animation today announced that Oscar nominated director Tim Reckart (HEAD OVER HEELS) will develop and make his feature directorial debut with THE LAMB.

THE LAMB is a fully CG animated theatrical feature project which tells the inspirational story of a young lamb who will change the world. Based on an original pitch by Tom Sheridan, THE LAMB is produced by DeVon Franklin under his company Franklin Entertainment; Jenny Marchick is the exec overseeing the project at Sony Pictures Animation.

Tim
Reckart garnered an Oscar nomination in 2013 for his stop-motion
animated short HEAD OVER HEELS which examines a marriage from a very
unique perspective -- where the wife lives on the ceiling and the
husband on the floor. It was his student thesis at the National Film
& Television School in the UK. Reckart also holds a BA in history
and literature from Harvard University and an MA in directing animation
from the National Film & Television School. He is repped by APA and
The Gotham Group.

Commenting on the announcement, director Tim Reckart stated: "I'm
thrilled to be developing THE LAMB with DeVon Franklin and the team at
Sony Pictures Animation, who have been so supportive of my efforts to
develop a bold, creative direction for the project. THE LAMB is a
powerful story with deeply felt emotions and gorgeous visuals, all
coming through the humor and charm of our cast of animals. I can't
imagine a more exciting project for my animated feature debut."

Producer DeVon Franklin added: "I'm
beyond thrilled to be working with Tim to bring The Lamb to life. He's
truly one of the most talented new visionaries working in animation
today and we are already blown away by his unique storytelling and the
creative imprint he is bringing to this project.”